Creativity in Engineering and Computer Science

Creativity in Engineering

• Key traits include curiosity, openness to new experiences, a willingness to take risks, and the ability to observe details while solving problems without fear.
• Examples of creative engineering include bullet trains designed to withstand earthquakes, inspired by kingfisher birds; Dyson's bagless vacuum cleaners; floating wind farms (Hywind Scotland) providing power for 20,000 homes; and translucent stadium roofs that function like cameras.

Creativity in Computer Science

• Creativity is essential for coding, problem-solving, and debugging.
• Developers need to imagine solutions, iterate through code, and refine programs.

Creative Thinking Techniques

• Mind Mapping: A visual tool for organizing ideas using central images, colors, symbols, and keywords.
• SCAMPER: A technique to modify existing ideas: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other use, Eliminate, and Rearrange.
• Six Thinking Hats: A technique for managing the thinking process focusing on different aspects of a problem: White (facts and data), Red (emotions and feelings), Black (risks and problems), Yellow (benefits and positives), Green (new ideas and alternatives), and Blue (managing the thinking process).

Bionics

• Bionics applies natural systems to modern technology. Examples include aircraft designs inspired by birds and insects.

Metacognition

• Metacognition is the awareness of one's own thought processes.
• The metacognitive cycle includes assessing a task, evaluating strengths and weaknesses, devising a strategy, applying the strategy, and reflecting on and adjusting the approach to improve.

Encoding Information

• Encoding information is important for problem-solving and generating ideas.
• Types include semantic encoding (meaning of words), visual (charts, maps), acoustic (sounds, speech), tactile (touch-based), and elaborative (linking new information to existing memories).

Creative Marketing

• Creative marketing combines brand recognition with audience emotions to build brand loyalty.

Theories of Creativity and Innovation

• Different theories explore the process of creativity and innovation.
• Some consider the "Jenga theory" of adding or removing elements; systems theory looking at relationships between elements; the functionalist theory highlighting stability of parts, the interpretive theory focused on individual perspectives, and radical humanist theory emphasizing a free mind.

Motivation and Creativity

• Intrinsic motivation, driven by personal satisfaction, enhances creativity.
• Extrinsic motivation, driven by external rewards, can hinder creativity.

Brainstorming Techniques

• Brainstorming techniques include negative brainstorming for obstacle identification, the gallery method, and role-playing.

Concept Maps

• Concept maps are diagrams showing the relationships between concepts. They use concepts, linking words, a hierarchical structure from general to specific to identify a focus question, and connections to different domains.

Vee Diagrams

• Vee diagrams are visual tools for analyzing complex problems. A structured approach is given that includes using a focus question, conceptual information for the left side, experiments or actions on the right side and a middle to connect the two sides.

Explore the vital role of creativity in both engineering and computer science. This quiz covers key traits of creative thinkers, innovative examples from engineering, and essential techniques in creative problem-solving applicable to coding. Test your understanding of these concepts and how they contribute to technology and design.